Alexander Von Humboldt Das Schiff

I was staying across the river at the Teerhof and kept working up the courage to come here. When two friends finally agreed to join me, we had a lovely evening. The salmon salad was delicious, and it was my first time having dinner on such a big, beautifully aged boat. The gloomy sun came out just in time for dinner, which made it a lovely experience. I was even inspired to paint a watercolor during my stay.

I've never forgotten seeing the Alexander von Humboldt under its unmistakable green sails during the 2011 Tall Ships Races in Northern Europe. We crossed paths with it, sailing alongside, and it felt like history in motion. It wasn't just any beautiful tall ship. It was the one I'd heard about, moving like a guardian of maritime tradition, and that made an already thrilling regatta unforgettable. The Alexander von Humboldt began as a lightship in 1906, then became a sailing training vessel in 1986. Operated by the Deutsche Stiftung Sail Training (DSST), it spent more than 25 years training young sailors and sailing across oceans. Beck’s Beer sponsored its bright green sails, which made the ship iconic at regattas and in the ports it visited. Later in 2011, it made its last voyage and retired from active sailing. Since 2014, it's been moored permanently in Bremen, serving as a floating hotel and restaurant on the Schlachte riverside. Visitors can walk the deck, take in its history, and even sleep aboard a ship that was once among the sea's most beloved tall ships. It's more than a ship to me, it's a storyteller, a survivor, and a symbol of maritime spirit. For those of us lucky enough to see it under full sail, especially in a Tall Ships Race, it will always be special.

We stayed for a drink, but only after the waiter told me the kitchen was broken and there was no food. I was with guests who don't speak German, so I took him at his word. Then food started arriving at the other tables. After we'd been sitting for over half an hour without anyone asking what we wanted to drink, I was able to order from another waiter. The way this was handled felt really unkind, as if not every customer was welcome to the same degree.

The atmosphere worked really well for our large company outing, and the food was excellent.